Senate advances bill allowing water utilities to run criminal background checks for employees and contractors

The Utah Senate on Feb. 10 advanced Senate Bill 75 to third reading, authorizing political subdivisions that operate water utilities to require criminal background checks for prospective and current employees, contractors and others who require facility access.

Sponsor Sen. Walker described encountering security gaps during a post‑Sept. 11 tour of a local water treatment plant and said officials — including the state Commissioner of Public Safety and the state's homeland‑security chief — supported giving utilities the option to screen personnel. "SB75 addresses the issue of background checks for these workers that have access to our water supply," Walker said, and added that the cost of background checks and databases would be borne by the utilities so the state would have no fiscal note.

Several senators praised the measure for aiding compliance with EPA and homeland‑security guidance for small and rural systems; Sen. Evans cautioned that while the fiscal note to the state was zero, the costs would still be passed to water districts and ultimately ratepayers. Sen. Jenkins warned against background‑check requirements proliferating into routine procurement and contracting rules.

After floor discussion the Senate recorded passage of SB75 to third reading (the chair announced SB75 "received 26 aye votes, 1 nay vote, 2 being absent"). The bill gives utilities discretion to run checks; it is not a state mandate.

Next steps: SB75 will be considered on third reading; utility boards and districts will need to determine implementation and cost‑recovery approaches locally.

Reporting note: Account is based on on‑floor remarks and vote record from the Feb. 10 Utah Senate session.